Have you ever come across the image of a hand with an interesting symbol positioned in the middle? Ever heard of a mosque but have no clue what it is used for? These points and more are illustrated in this article, which focuses on information regarding the Islamic faith and Jainism.
Islam: In Saudi Arabia, it was Muhammad in 622 AD that founded the religion that has more than 1 billion followers. In Arabic, those who follow the Islamic faith refer to One God as Allah. One of their beliefs is that humans “must submit (islam) to the will of God” in order to gain entry into Paradise after death.
3 Facts About Islam
1) A great deal of the practices associated with Islam are grouped into a category called ‘adab,’ which refers to a kind of Islamic etiquette. For instance, greeting others with “as-salamu `alaykum” is a way of saying “peace be unto you.” Before meals, ‘bismillah’ is often uttered, which translates into “in the name of God.” It is also not uncommon to see adherents of Islam using only the right hand to eat and drink.
2) A mosque is the name given to the place of worship for Muslims. Dedicated to Islamic worship, many mosques show intricate detail and have shown an evolution throughout the centuries in regards to their architecture. Those within the local Muslim community visit their mosque for not only seeking a place to pray, but to also meet with others and study.
3) Situated in Agra, India, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that was built during Mughal rule.
Jainism: Around 550 BC, Jainism was founded by Mahavira in eastern India. Today, about 4 million people are known to practice the teachings of this faith. An aspect of the religion is that the universe is eternal with many gods existing. Following a complicated hierarchy, gods of worship, humans, and all other living things are classified.
3 Facts About Jainism
1) In India, Jainism is one of the oldest religions that have its roots planted firmly in the country. A Jain believes that “every soul is divine and has the potential to achieve God-consciousness.”
2) When it comes to symbolism associated with Jainism, you will often encounter the hand with a wheel on the palm. This symbol represents the Jain Vow of Ahimsa, which is entirely centered on following a life filled with non-violence. In the middle, you will notice the word ‘Ahimsa.’ The wheel represents the dharmacakra, which signifies the halting of the cycle of reincarnation through the undying pursuit of obtaining the truth.
3) A monk or nun connected to the Jain faith is expected to follow a strict code of ethics, which includes Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (truth), Achaurya or Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (living a life of celibacy), and Aparigrah (developing no attachments to temporal possessions).